Tag - inflation

 
 

INFLATION

For Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, tackling the impact of rising prices has become a key priority.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 19, 2023
Upcoming parliament session puts Kishida's stimulus package in spotlight
Tackling inflation has become a key priority for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, as economic trends have played a part in his low approval ratings.
Rengo President Tomoko Yoshino says the labor organization will seek wage hikes of 5% or more next year.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 19, 2023
Japan's largest labor group aims for wage hikes of 5% or more
Rengo will finalize its stance in December ahead of next year's wage negotiations.
The Bank of Japan headquarters in Tokyo. The central bank is likely to discuss raising its inflation projection for fiscal year 2023 and 2024 at its policy meeting later this month.
BUSINESS
Oct 18, 2023
BOJ seen lifting inflation forecasts as pressure on policy grows
Central bank is also seen upgrading its forecast for 2024 from the current 1.9%, to at or above 2.0%.
The International Monetary Fund says it sees no factors for Japan to intervene in the foreign exchange market to support the yen.
BUSINESS / Markets
Oct 16, 2023
IMF sees no conditions for Japan to intervene in currency market
Whether Japan will intervene to support the yen has been a key focus lately, with the currency staying near ¥150 per dollar.
Hiroshi Watanabe, former Japanese currency policy chief and onetime head of  the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, speaks during an interview in Tokyo.
BUSINESS / Economy / ANALYSIS
Oct 15, 2023
IMF warning on China puts 'Japanization' risk in spotlight
Stalling inflation and a deepening real estate crisis were said to be among the biggest risks to global growth during a recent IMF and World Bank meeting.
An official speaks during a government-sponsored tour of the 2025 Osaka Expo site on Yumeshima island, Osaka, on Sept. 14.
JAPAN / Society
Oct 12, 2023
As 2025 Osaka Expo nears, foreign pavilion woes continue to mount
Over 50 countries had been expected to design and build their own pavilions. So far, only two have been greenlighted by Osaka city to begin construction.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda speaks during a news conference at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo in September.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 9, 2023
Wage hikes key for BOJ policy normalization
Wage growth trends during next year's spring labor-management negotiations will be closely watched for indicators.
U.S. President Joe Biden joins members of the United Auto Workers union as they strike in Belleville, Michigan, on Sept. 26 to demand higher wages.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 8, 2023
Down on the Biden economy: Why Americans aren't happy
The U.S. economy is doing well. Why, then, are people not satisfied? The answer lies in their pockets.
The average price for a new condominium in central Tokyo rose 60% to a record ¥129.6 million ($865,000) in the first half of this year.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 4, 2023
Surging Tokyo property prices squeeze out young professionals
The average price for a new condominium in central Tokyo rose 60% to a record ¥129.6 million ($865,000) in the first half of this year.
Passengers line up to board a bullet train at Tokyo Station in August.
JAPAN
Oct 4, 2023
Shinkansen rail pass prices soar 70% for tourists
Even with the big increase, demand is likely to stay strong thanks to a cheaper yen and steady flow of inbound visitors.
Bank of Japan board members discussed progress toward their inflation target and the need to put together an exit strategy in their September policy meeting.
BUSINESS / Economy
Oct 2, 2023
BOJ board members see price goal progress and need to plan exit
The comments are likely to strengthen expectations among BOJ watchers that the central bank will adjust policy in early 2024.
Core inflation in Tokyo slowed in September for the third straight month, mainly on falling fuel costs, but there are concerns the weak yen may push up import costs and the price of basic goods.
BUSINESS
Sep 29, 2023
Tokyo inflation slows on subsidies, supporting BOJ policy stance
BOJ Gov. Kazuo Ueda re-emphasized this week that the goal of achieving 2% inflation accompanied by wage gains had not yet come into sight.
Customers load their shopping into a vehicle at a New World supermarket in Wellington, operated by Foodstuffs New Zealand.
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
Sep 27, 2023
Cost-of-living stress fuels crime wave in Australia and New Zealand
While the thefts are brazen, organized and increasingly violent, experts say the shoplifting underscores the hardship many people are facing.
Bank of Japan Gov. Kazuo Ueda during a news conference at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on Friday
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 22, 2023
BOJ maintains its dovish monetary easing amid policy speculation
Comments by Gov. Kazuo Ueda in an interview earlier this month had sparked speculation that the BOJ might move to change policy at an earlier date.
British consumers have seen the price of a classic English breakfast — with ingredients like bacon, sausages, orange juice, baked beans and mushrooms — increase by almost 12%.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 21, 2023
Brits see cost of English breakfast soar amid food inflation
The total cost of a basket of goods needed to make the fry-up rose by 57 pence, almost 12%, to £36.15 in August.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks at a news conference in New York on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 21, 2023
Kishida to outline economic support measures next week
Speaking in New York, Kishida warned that Japan’s economic situation remains unstable.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a news conference last Wednesday following a Cabinet reshuffle.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 20, 2023
Kishida may reveal priority areas for economic package next week
The size of an envisaged fiscal 2023 state supplementary budget to finance the economic measures will be a major focus, informed sources said.
The U.S. Federal Reserve building in Washington
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 19, 2023
A strike, a shutdown and student loans may cool spending for Fed
Some economists say the resumption of student loan repayments for tens of millions of borrowers may already be reshaping behavior.
The Bank of Japan's headquarters in Tokyo
COMMENTARY / Japan
Sep 19, 2023
The Bank of Japan faces a monetary policy conundrum
The BOJ may need to interpret the 2% price stability target more flexibly.
Bank of Japan officials view Gov. Kazuo Ueda’s scholarly communication style as the most obvious difference from the previous governor.
BUSINESS / Economy
Sep 19, 2023
Ueda abandons ‘shock and awe’ on path toward BOJ normalization
BOJ officials view Ueda’s scholarly communication style as the most obvious difference from the previous governor.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?